How do I stop missing bill due dates and paying late fees?

Step 1: Make one list

Write down every bill: rent, loans, credit cards, phone, internet, utilities, insurance and subscriptions. Note the amount, due date and how you pay it. Having all of them in one place is most of the fix.

Step 2: Line up due dates with payday

Many banks and card issuers let you change your due date. Moving bills to just after payday means the money is always there when they're due.

Step 3: Use autopay wisely

• Good for autopay: fixed amounts you can always cover, like loan payments, insurance and rent.
• Be careful with: variable bills that could spike, and accounts that sometimes run low.
• For credit cards, at least autopay the minimum, so a busy week never costs you a late fee or a hit to your credit score.

Step 4: Set reminders that leave time to act

A reminder on the due date is often too late if a transfer takes a day to clear. Set reminders one to two days early for anything you pay by hand.

Step 5: Check once a month

On the same day each month, glance at what's due in the next few weeks. It takes two minutes and catches annual bills and price changes before they surprise you.

Doing it with Balance

In Balance you add each bill once as a fixed expense or subscription with its due date, and choose a reminder on the day, one day before or two days before. The Recurring tab shows everything coming up and what it adds up to each month, and you can ask "what bills are coming up?"